LAST UPDATE | 7 Sep 2024
IT’S DAY 10 of the Paralympic Games — and the final day of action for Irish athletes.
Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly won another medal yesterday, bringing the team’s Paris 2024 tally to six: one gold, three silver and two bronze.
There are four Irish athletes in action today across four sports, with coverage on RTÉ 2 throughout the day.
Which Irish athletes are competing — and when can I watch them?
Cycling: Richael Timothy is the first out in the C1-3 Women’s Road Race at Clichy-sous-Bois at 8.35am.
Equestrian: Sarah Slatttery and her horse Savona have this morning been called up for the Grade V Freestyle final after one of the top-eight qualifiers withdrew. The final starts at 9.57am.
Athletics: Mary Fitzgerald competes in the F40 Shot Put final from 10.51am at Stade de France.
Power Lifting: Britney Arendse rounds off the Irish interest in the Games in the Up to 79kg Power Lifting final at 4pm.
Ireland Medal Watch
Paralympics Ireland CEO Stephen McNamara stated a target of “between eight and 10 medals” at these Games, and it looks the team will fall just short of that goal.
All three athletes today will be looking to make their mark, with Cavan power lifter Arendse among those sharing podium ambitions before departing for Paris.
Fitzgerald and Timothy have also been in good form, but big challenges await all three, with the standards constantly rising across the board.
Can Team Ireland finish on a high and add to their six medals?
Do Not Miss…
The Blind Football medal matches take place at the spectacular Eiffel Tower Arena this evening.
Colombia and Brazil face off for bronze at 4.30pm, while new champions will be crowned as France and Argentina battle for gold at 8pm.
There’s plenty more to watch elsewhere ahead of the final day of competition on Sunday.
- Updated 9.10am with news of Sarah Slattery’s call-up as first reserve
That’s quite a good draw. Maybe the new guy is a lucky manager.
@Diarmuid Concannon: Agree good chance getting to a world cup
Not terrible, Hungary are no worldbeaters, could sneak 2nd?
@Michael Kennedy: They’ve won games at several major tournaments. Better than us by a long way.
@Conor Lynott: when? They haven’t been to a world cup since 1986. They won one game at euro 2024 against Scotland scoring in the 100th minute. We also beat them in the summer. So saying they are better than us by a long way is nonsense.
@Kevin Dillon: I just had a look at Hungary’s home form and it’s pretty immaculate. Only 2 losses (Italy & Serbia) in their last 16 games on home soil, including 2 draws with Germany, another with Netherlands, and wins over England and Turkey to name a few. You’re right, they’re no world cup regulars but I think a lot of people are overlooking their ability. We beat them in a friendly and fortunately too as Parrott nearly stuffed a one-on-one.
@Conor Lynott: all I said is they are no world beaters, which they certainly aren’t, if we’re organised and can improve under the new manager we could, I feel, sneak 2nd which would be marvellous.
No matter what group we drew it was always going to be tough. Keep the faith.
Not a great draw at all. Naturally the Pot 1 teams will be a very big ask, but Hungary are a competent side with a decent home record. Armenia is a tough place to go too as we found out a few years ago they’ll make it a battle. I think it would take an awful lot from our team to get the runners-up spot.
@Ultán Corcoran: what’s the format? Top – qualification direct, runner up – playoff?
@Michael Corkery: yes exactly
@Ultán Corcoran: Agree. Armenia is one of the better pot 4 teams. Hungary is no pushover either. Probably Portugal also. Not great. Could be worse also.
@Ultán Corcoran: obviously we are 3rd seeds….. could have been better and could have been worst
@Michael Corkery: I’d usually be pretty glass half full but I think that’s a tricky draw in truth. As far as I know, it’s direct qualification to the 2026WC if you finish first. Then the 12 group runners-up go into a play-off the 4 best ranked Nations League group winners in 24-25. Presumably 4 x 4 mini qualifiers with direct knockout (semi-final winner vs semi-final winner).
@Ray Ridge: Yeah, Kazakhstan and Armenia were the two I wanted to avoid in that Pot. Yerevan is a tough place to go, especially if we end up playing them in warm conditions. They always have a shock in them. As for Hungary, the bulk of their team play at decent levels across England, Germany, Turkey and so on. The Puskas Arena is an equally intimidating atmosphere too.
@Ultán Corcoran: Very.good draw could of being far worse
Could be a lot worse
We have the players to win this group. It’s do we have the confidence to actually believe that we can. THATS the issue. Anyone who thinks we don’t have players who can play football at a high level isn’t being honest. We have them and they have to man up and stop thinking we are a weak side – I’m tired of that. It gets into their heads and then during the game they are probably subconsciously thinking this and it puts extra pressure on us. When it’s so unnecessary. They all have showed us at different times that they are well able to compete against big teams when their backs are up against the wall. Well… lads.. now is the time to make history and push yourself into being seen as heroes for the rest of your lives.
@Le Merchelant: not many new players since they got roasted by Portugual 6 months ago.
Only 6 games to qualify for a world cup wow all the 3 teams we play are winable
Again another plum draw for the English!! How does it happen for them all the time??
Need to sort out the team and get confidence back
@Simon Dwyer: need to start kicking teams off the park again!
Neither team will be trying too hard in that France v Croatia Nations League playoff. The loser gets a much easier group.
@ Daire Cathal Greene. Thats the spirit Daire.
If we win all our home games or stay unbeaten and beat the minnows away it’s potentially 10 points which will be good. Maybe we might get a few more dual players to declare for us.
No chance of qualifying no matter who we got. At least with the four team group we don’t have two waste of time games against Pot 5 sides, could have better friendlies in June. At least Ireland are still far ahead of said teams.